I just got my car out of the shop. Tuffy. I had a stater, brake line and air filter done. It has a brand new battery. These are the symptoms. I drove it and it was fine. It starts fine but I stopped somewhere and went to leave and the car would not start. I got a jump and it started. The radio came on and then died. As soon as i turned the head lights on the car died. Got another jump and it stayed on but i had no headlights. got home put the car in park then i had lights. Turned the car off now it won't start sometimes it clicks and sometimes it does nothing when i try to start it... what's wrong?
2007-12-05 16:24:07 · 18 answers · asked by Venessa B 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Also, the first time i drove the car the speedometer worked, but when i was driving home w/no lights the speedometer was going crazy, could these two be connected?
2007-12-05 16:25:40 · update #1
the car is a 90 olds calais. The guy at the shop says it just runs like crap cause its old, but before the starter went i never had a problem with it running.
2007-12-05 16:34:26 · update #2
It's the alternator without a doubt. The radio dying with the car running is the main thing that lets you know that. The radio isn't much of a load on the electrical system so with the car running there should be no issue. Depending on how handy you are, pull the thing out and take it to Auto Zone or Checker Auto to get load tested. If it fails, get a new one and put it in
2007-12-05 16:34:02 · answer #1 · answered by davdajigy1 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like an alternator.It doesnt take long to drain a battery if the alternator isnt keeping it charged.Have it checked to be sure.You already said you have a new battery so you dont need another one,just get it charged before you put in a new alternator if that turns out to be the problem.
Take it somewhere else and have it fixed.
2007-12-05 16:33:31 · answer #2 · answered by Johnny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something like that happened to me a few years ago. The first thing I noticed was some kind of warning light related to my air bag. My volt meter showed a depletion in charge. Then my headlights went and the engine died. It turned out to be a corroded connection between my battery and my alternator. Your battery holds a charge but your alternator wont charge it.
2007-12-05 16:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by Yoda O 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Corroded battery cables, probably. Clean the terminals on the ends of the wires, or better yet replace them. To clean them, use a mixture of baking soda and distilled water and a stiff toothbrush. When clean and dry, then use a wire brush on them. Auto parts places sell special wire brushes made for cleaning battery posts and terminals. If they're really bad, you might need new battery cables. Also, don't forget to clean the wires that attach to the starter. Somewhere or other you're not getting a good connection.
2007-12-05 16:31:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would really help if we had some idea of the make / model and year of the car. Check to make sure the battery terminals are clean of corrosion on the battery and clamps, also have the alternator checked for proper output, lastly check all your ground cables and fuses as a last resort
2007-12-05 16:31:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do a CHECK on the alternator to make sure its charging. There is a catch you need the car running, then you disconnect the positive battery cable. It should stay running, if it dies, its the alternator. TRY IT!
2007-12-05 16:32:29 · answer #6 · answered by youbetcha58 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's obviously not charging. It may be that the charging system was disturbed a bit when the wires were taken off the starter. You'll have to figure that out. Don't get your alternator replaced until you do some diagnosis. It's probably a wire out of place.
2007-12-05 16:32:33 · answer #7 · answered by Firebird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gm uses the start for a main power junction which means LOTS of fusible links, they either forgot the one for the alternator or they broke a fusible link or it blew.
any mechanic that says it runs like crap because it's old is not a good mechanic and probably didn't fix the car right. I would find a new mechanic
2007-12-05 16:39:53 · answer #8 · answered by wditt2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time for a new battery.
After installing the new battery, have the altanature checked for charging.
Sounds like you battery is taking a charge but not holding it so when you turn off the car, there is not eneff staate of charge in the battery to restart.
2007-12-05 16:29:33 · answer #9 · answered by goldwing127959 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not sure, but sounds like the electrical system. Double check battery connections, but I think you'll have to get it looked at.
Good Luck
2007-12-05 16:28:53 · answer #10 · answered by BaBaBooey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋